What kind of gunpowder did muskets use?

Muskets primarily used black powder, a mixture of saltpeter (potassium nitrate), charcoal, and sulfur. This gunpowder was known for its relatively low energy compared to modern propellants but was effective for the time. Black powder served as both the propellant for firing the projectile and the explosive charge for creating the necessary pressure within the musket barrel. Its formulation and performance were crucial for the effectiveness of firearms from the 16th to the 19th centuries.